CNN —

August, which is heralded as Black Business Month, should have been a time to celebrate the Black labor force. But last month's jobs report showed unemployment rates increased for Black workers — and it could point to an economic slump.

The unemployment rate for Black workers reached 7.5% in August — its highest level since October 2021 (7.6%) — and followed consecutive increases in June (6.8%) and July (7.2%). A rise in Black unemployment is often considered the " canary in the coal mine ," foretelling a slowdown for the broader job market.

Video above: U.S. job growth weakens; immigration enforcement adds to strain

"The most vulnerable people tend to get laid off first, and unfortunately, that tends to be Black Americans, and that's something that is very disturbing in and

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